I’d Rather Drink Soda

Is drinking water one of your biggest challenges to living a healthy lifestyle? Well you are not alone. According to the National Soft Drink Association, sugary juices and soft drinks are consumed in the amounts of 160 gallons per person per year! OMG! That is A LOT of sugar and empty calories. With sugary, deliciously flavored drinks naturally fueling an aversion to water, it’s no wonder no one wants to drink water. But we know that drinking water is one of, if not the single most important thing one can do for their body. Water has so many benefits that it could easily be referred to as a “Liquid Miracle”.

So how do we overcome the obstacles that are getting in the way of our bodies getting what it needs most? It’s simple – Identify your specific obstacles and tackle them head on.

Common Obstacle to Drinking Water

I’d rather drink soda. Taste is a very common obstacle to drinking water. If you are like many American children, you may have been raised on fruity soft drinks or somehow developed a habit all on your own. Which probably means that unless you are in the middle of a heat wave and drenched in sweat, you’d simply rather drink soda or sweet tea. I know…I get it.

Head on Challenge

Face the factsand retrain your taste buds: Drinking soda is detrimental to your kidneys and your health. If this is your obstacle, you likely need water more than anyone. I have tried the reward method – allowing myself to drink whatever I want as long as I drink at least 64 oz of water first. This simply has not been effective for me. The reason being, sugar is addictive. For most people with this issue, even drinking one soda will set one on a quest for more and more; which will likely decrease the chances of getting in the needed water. This will not be easy, but you must retrain your taste buds to acquire a different taste. Avoid the sodas and sugars and strive for natural flavors such as lemons, cucumber, or any fruit. You could try the reward method – if you are able to drink your 64 oz and reward yourself with one drink at the end of the day, then go for it. But if it sends you on a desperate quest for more sugar drinks, you may need to go cold turkey and say “good riddance” to soft drinks. Your kidneys will thank you for it.

Be sure to visit again in the coming weeks to find out how to overcome other common obstacles to drinking water such as the “middle of the night bladder alarm”.

Having the life, body, and health you want is not just an impossible dream. It doesn’t take magic. It takes YOU!